Then, clearly, he said, 'Oh, you live in the Changyi Hotel.

I was walking back from the grocery store (Music street) Sunday evening when a man, headed in the same direction, turned and spoke as he passed.  He said, in good English-do you mind if I ask you a question?  I responded, no.  He then asked where i was from.  I answered U.S.A., then changed it to America as Chinese generally recognize 'America', but not U.S.A.

He then asked if I spoke English and I told him I had been handicapped to a degree by Miss Reece during my formative years but otherwise felt comfortable with my home language.  He did not grasp the humor, but continued with 'are you a teacher?', to which I responded, 'no'.

Then, clearly, he said, 'Oh, you live in the Changyi Hotel.  
What was the clue, the giveaway, in the conversation?  I don't know, other than most of the people here have heard of, or about, the American who lives in the Changyi Hotel.